2,3-Dihydro-1-benzoxepine-4,5-dicarboxylic acid anhydrides

ABSTRACT

Anhydrides of formula V ##STR1## where A&#34; is --OCH 2  -- with the oxygen atom bonded to the aromatic ring and R and R 1  independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or methoxy are valuable intermediates for the preparation of tricyclic imidyl derivatives. These imidyl derivatives form photocrosslinkable polymers useful for making printing plates and photoresists.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 349,420, filed on Feb. 16,1982, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,366, issued on Jan. 3, 1984, which is inturn a divisional of application Ser. No. 183,905, filed on Sept. 4,1980, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,200, issued on June 29, 1982, which inturn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 9,985, filed onFeb. 6, 1979, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,264, issued on Dec. 30, 1980.

The present invention relates to novel tricyclic imidyl derivatives andprocesses for their preparation. The tricyclic imidyl derivativesaccording to the invention are suitable for the preparation ofphoto-crosslinkable polymers.

It is known from the literature that diversely substituted imides, inparticular maleimides, are suitable for the preparation of crosslinkable(curable) polymers. Japanese Published Specification Nos. 50-5376,50-5377, 50-5378, 50-5379 and 50-5380 describe generically differentα-arylmaleimides and N-substituted derivatives thereof which aresuitable for the preparation of photo-crosslinkable polymers; the saidderivatives can be further substituted in the β-position by a halogenatom, a cyano group or a lower alkyl group and the said alkyl group canalso form a ring together with the C atom in the ortho-position of theα-aryl group. The specific disclosure is restricted, however, toα-phenylmaleimides and α-phenyl-β-cyano-maleimides and N-substitutedderivatives thereof. In Japanese Published Specifications Nos.49-128,991, 49-128,992, 49-128,993, 50-9682, 50-10884 and 50-77363, thepreparation of photo-crosslinkable polymers, for example by reactingN-substituted α-arylmaleimides of the abovementioned type, which havehydroxyl, amino, carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid chloride groups onthe N-substituent, with polymers containing corresponding functionalgroups, is described. Further imidyl derivatives and photo-crosslinkablepolymers containing imidyl groups in end or side positions, especiallymaleimide, dimethylmaleimide, nadicimide and tetrahydrophthalimidegroups, are known from German Offenlegungsschriften Nos. 2,031,573,2,032,037 and 2,626,795.

These previously known imides and the crosslinkable polymers which canbe prepared therefrom have the disadvantage of a relatively lowphotochemical sensitivity and for this reason they are not suitable, ornot very suitable, for numerous applications for which highlyphotosensitive substances are required, or they require the additionaluse of known photosensitisers, such as benzophenone, thioxanthone andthe like. Furthermore, some of these previously known imides are alsonot very suitable for building up polymers by polymerisation orpolycondensation of corresponding monomers.

The object of the invention was, therefore, to provide novel highlyphotosensitive substances which have a high UV absorption and, becauseof this, also ensure a high rate of crosslinking even without theaddition of photosensitisers and are very suitable for building uppolymers by polymerisation or polycondensation, if desired together withsuitable comonomers.

The novel compounds have the formula I ##STR2## in which n is the number1 or 2, R and R₁ independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen,alkyl having 1-4C atoms or methoxy, A is --CH₂ --, --CH₂ CH₂ -- or--OCH₂ -- with the oxygen atom bonded to the aromatic ring and E ishydrogen, or A is --O-- and E is --CH₃, and Y is alkylene having 1-30Catoms, which can be interrupted by hetero-atoms, or is cycloalkylenehaving 5 or 6C atoms, a dicyclohexylmethane radical, arylene having6-10C atoms, or aralkylene or alkylarylene having 7 or 8C atoms, itbeing possible for the said radicals Y also to be substituted, and X,when n=1, is a group of the formulae --NH--CO-alkylene or ##STR3## and,when n=2, is --OH, --NH₂, --NH-alkyl having 1-4C atoms, --SH, --COOH,--COCl, --CO--O-alkenyl, --O-alkenyl, --O--CO-alkenyl, --NH--CO-alkenylor --S--CO-alkenyl, the two --COR₂ s are bonded to the benzene ring inthe meta- or para-position relative to one another and the R₂ s are each--OH, --Cl, alkoxy having 1-4C atoms or phenoxy, or the two --COR₂ s arebonded to the benzene ring in the ortho-position relative to one anotherand one of the R₂ s is --OH or --O⁻ M⁺ and the other is ##STR4## or thetwo R₂ s together are --O--, and M⁺ is an alkali metal cation, apyridinium cation or a trialkylammonium cation having 3-24 andespecially 3-12C atoms, Q₁ is hydrogen or methyl and q is an integerfrom 2 to 4, and alkenyl moieties in the above groups have 2-4C atomsand, when n=2 and Y=--CH₂ --, A is a radical which differs from --CH₂--.

The formula I comprises compounds of the formulae Ia and Ib ##STR5## inwhich A' is --CH₂ --, --CH₂ CH₂ -- or --OCH₂ -- with the oxygen atombonded to the aromatic ring and E' is hydrogen, R, R₁, X, Y and n are asdefined under formula I and, when n=2 and Y=--CH₂ --, A' is a radicalwhich differs from --CH₂ --.

The compounds of the formula Ia can be prepared by reacting a compoundof the formula II ##STR6## with a compound of the formula III

    H.sub.2 N (Y).sub.n-1 X'                                   (III)

in which formulae A' and E' are as defined under formula Ia and R, R₁, Yand n are as defined under formula I and X', when n=1, is a group of theformula ##STR7## in which the --COR₂ ' groups are bonded to the benzenering in the meta- or para-position relative to one another and the R₂ 'sare each --OH, --O⁻ M⁺, alkoxy having 1-4C atoms or phenoxy and M⁺ is asdefined under formula I, or in which the --COR₂ ' groups are bonded tothe benzene ring in the ortho-position relative to one another and thetwo R₂ 's together are --O--, and, when n=2, is --OH, --NH₂, --NH-alkylhaving 1-4C atoms, --COOH, --SH or --O-alkenyl having 2-4C atoms in thealkyl moiety, if necessary cyclising amidocarboxylic acids which haveformed as intermediates and then, if desired, converting the imide intoa compound of the formula Ia in which X differs from X'.

The compounds of the formula Ib can be obtained by rearranging acompound of the formula I or Ia in which A is --OCH₂ -- with the oxygenatom bonded to the aromatic ring and R, R₁, X, Y and n are as definedunder formula I to a compound of the formula Ib by the action of heat orin the presence of a basic catalyst.

Alkylene, cycloalkylene, dicyclohexylmethane, arylene, aralkylene oralkylarylene groups Y, according to the definition, can be unsubstitutedor substituted, for example by alkyl or alkoxy groups each having 1-4Catoms and in particular each having 1 or 2C atoms, nitro groups orhalogen atoms, such as chlorine, bromine or fluorine.

Alkylene groups Y can be straight-chain or branched and can contain oneor more hetero-atoms, especially S or O atoms. Unsubstituted,straight-chain or branched alkylene groups are preferred, especiallythose having 2-11C atoms. Examples of suitable alkylene groups Y are theethylene group, the 1,3- or iso-propylene group, the2,2-dimethylpropylene group, the tetramethylene group, the hexamethylenegroup, the octamethylene group and the decamethylene group.

A cycloalkylene group Y is preferably unsubstituted. It is especiallythe 1,3-cyclohexylene group and in particular the 1,4-cyclohexylenegroup.

Substituted arylene groups Y preferably have only one substituent perring and this substituent is in particular an alkyl or alkoxy group,each having 1-4 and in particular 1 or 2C atoms, or a nitro group.Examples of suitable arylene groups Y are the 1,2-, 1,3- and1,4-phenylene group, the 1,3-tolylene group, the 5-methoxy-1,3-phenylenegroup, the 3-nitro-1,4-phenylene group and the 1,7- or 2,7-naphthylenegroup. Unsubstituted arylene groups are preferred, especially the1,4-phenylene group and the 1,3-phenylene group.

Aralkylene groups Y are, in particular, the groups ##STR8## andalkylarylene groups Y are, in particular, the groups ##STR9##

Alkyl or alkoxy groups R, R₁, R₂ or R₂ ' according to the definition,and also alkyl or alkenyl moieties of substituents X or X' according tothe definition, can also be straight-chain or branched.

Examples of alkyl, alkoxy and alkenyl groups according to the definitionare: the methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert.-butyl,methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, tert.-butoxy, vinyl,allyl and isopropenyl group.

A halogen atom R or R₁ is in particular a chlorine, bromine or fluorineatom. Alkyl groups R and R₁ are advantageously straight-chain and have 1or 2C atoms. Preferably, however, R and R₁ are each hydrogen.

Alkoxy groups R₂ and R₂ ' are likewise preferably straight-chain andhave 1 or 2C atoms.

M⁺ is, for example, the lithium, sodium, potassium, trimethylammonium,triethylammonium or methyldiethylammonium cation or thetri-n-octylammonium cation. Preferably, M⁺ is an alkali metal cation,especially the sodium cation.

Preferred groups ##STR10## are those in which the groups --COR₂ and,respectively, --COR₂ ' are bonded to the benzene ring in themeta-position relative to one another and the R₂ s and, respectively, R₂'s are each --OH, methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy or Cl, or those in which thegroups --COR₂ and, respectively, --COR₂ ' are bonded to the benzene ringin the ortho-position relative to one another and the two R₂ s and,respectively, R₂ 's together are --O--.

Preferred compounds of the formula I and Ia are those in which R and R₁are each hydrogen, A is --CH₂ --, --CH₂ CH₂ -- or --OCH₂ -- with theoxygen atom bonded to the aromatic ring, E is hydrogen, Y isstraight-chain or branched alkylene having 2-11C atoms, the 1,3- or1,4-phenylene group or the 1,4-cyclohexylene group and X, when n=1, is agroup of the formulae ##STR11## in which the two R₂ s are each --OH,--Cl, methoxy, ethoxy or phenoxy, and, when n=2, is --OH, --NH₂, --COOH,--COCl, --COO-alkenyl, --O-alkenyl or --O--CO-alkenyl and the alkenylmoieties in the said substituents X have 2-4C atoms and are inparticular ##STR12##

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula I and Ia are those inwhich R and R₁ are each hydrogen, A is --CH₂ --, --CH₂ CH₂ -- or --OCH₂-- with the oxygen atom bonded to the aromatic ring, E is hydrogen, Y isa straight-chain or branched alkylene group having 2-11C atoms and X,when n=1, is a group of the formulae ##STR13## in which the two R₂ s areeach --OH, --Cl, methoxy, ethoxy or phenoxy, and, when n=2, is --OH,--NH₂, --COOH or --COCl.

Most particularly preferred compounds of the formula I and Ia are thosein which R, R₁, Y and X have the preferred meaning defined above, A is--CH₂ -- and E is hydrogen.

Specific preferred compounds of the formula I are compounds of thefollowing formulae X to XVI: ##STR14##

The compounds of the formula III and the compounds of the formula II inwhich A' is --CH₂ -- and E' is hydrogen are known or can be preparedaccording to methods known per se. The compounds of the formula II inwhich A' is --CH₂ CH₂ -- or --OCH₂ -- with the oxygen atom bonded to thearomatic ring and E' is hydrogen are novel and are also a subject of theinvention. The novel compounds of the formula II in which A' is --CH₂CH₂ -- and E' is hydrogen can be obtained, for example, by reacting5-phenylvaleric acid esters, which can be ring-substituted, such asethyl 5-phenylvalerate, with an oxalic acid diester, for example diethyloxalate, to give the 3-phenylpropyl-oxaloacetic acid diester andconverting the latter into the6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboxylic acid anhydride, whichcan be ring-substituted, by treatment with a strong acid, such asconcentrated sulphuric acid. Compounds of the formula II in which A' is--OCH₂ -- with the oxygen atom bonded to the aromatic ring and E' ishydrogen can be prepared in an analogous manner by reactingphenoxybutyric acid esters, which can be ring-substituted, with anoxalic acid diester and treating the resulting 2-phenoxyethyloxaloaceticacid diester with a strong acid.

Amines of the formula H₂ N--Y--O-alkenyl can be obtained, for example,by reacting corresponding aminoalcohols in the presence of bases, suchas K₂ CO₃, triethylamine or pyridine, with alkenyl halides, especiallyalkenyl bromides.

Aminobenzenedicarboxylic acids and their derivatives of the formula##STR15## can be employed as such or can be prepared in situ byreduction of the corresponding nitrobenzenedicarboxylic acids orderivatives thereof and used further without intermediate isolation.Preferably, the corresponding esters and especially the salts, inparticular the alkali metal salts, are used.

The reaction of the amines of the formula III with the anhydrides of theformula II can be carried out in the melt by heating the reactants totemperatures of up to about 250° C., or, alternatively, can be carriedout in an aqueous, aqueous-organic or organic medium, in which case thereaction is carried out at temperatures between about 0° C. and theboiling point, depending on the reactants. Preferably, the reaction iscarried out in an organic medium.

Advantageously, the anhydride of the formula II is employed instoichiometric amount or in a slight excess over the amine of theformula III, for example in up to about 20% molar excess.

The organic solvents are in particular aprotic organic solvents.Examples of such solvents are: aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons, whichcan be halogenated, such as methylene chloride, dichloromethane,chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,2-trichloroethane,1,2-dichloroethylene, benzene, toluene and chlorobenzene; anhydrousacetic acid; cyclic ethers, such as tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran anddioxan; cyclic amides, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone,N-acetyl-2-pyrrolidone and N-methyl-ε-caprolactam; N,N-dialkylamides ofaliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 1-3C atoms in the acid moiety,such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide,N,N-diethylacetamide and N,N-dimethylmethoxyacetamide;N,N,N',N'-tetramethylurea; tetrahydrothiophene dioxide (sulfolane); anddialkylsulphoxides, such as dimethylsulphoxide and diethylsulphoxide.

Mixtures of such solvents can also be employed. Preferred solvents aredioxan, anhydrous acetic acid, methylene chloride, benzene, toluene,xylenes and chlorobenzene.

Depending on the nature of the reactants and on the reaction conditions,in particular at elevated reaction temperatures, the anhydrides of theformula II can be reacted with the amines of the formula III direct,i.e. without additional measures such as treatment with dehydratingagents, to give the imides of the formula Ia. In general, however,amidocarboxylic acids of the formula IV ##STR16## in which n, R, R₁, Y,A', E' and X' are as defined under the formulae I or II and III, areformed as intermediates. These amidocarboxylic acids can be cyclised ina manner known per se, chemically or by the action of heat, to give theimides of the formula Ia, if desired in the presence of an aproticorganic solvent of the abovementioned type.

Cyclisation by the action of heat can be carried out, for example, byheating the reaction product to temperatures of about 50° to 200° C.However, chemical cyclisation using dehydrating agents known per se forimide formation and, where appropriate, anhydride formation ispreferred, if necessary in the presence of catalysts, at temperatures ofbetween about 40° and 150° C. The dehydrating agents are, in particular,anhydrides of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 2-5 C atoms, whichare unsubstituted or substituted by halogen atoms or alkyl groups, suchas acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, butyric anhydride and valericanhydride, trichloroacetic anhydride and trifluoroacetic anhydride. Thepreferred dehydrating agent is acetic anhydride. Catalysts which canalso be used in the chemical cyclisation are, for example, alkalineearth metal salts or alkali metal salts of aliphatic monocarboxylicacids having 1-3C atoms, such as sodium acetate and potassium acetate.

The compounds obtained according to the invention can, if desired,subsequently be converted to compounds of the formula Ia, in which Xdiffers from X', by methods known per se. Examples are:

1. n=1, X=--NH--CO-alkenyl

By reacting reaction products in which n=1 and X=--NH₂ with acidchlorides alkenyl-COCl.

2. n=1, X= ##STR17##

By cyclising compounds of the formula Ia in which n=1 and X= ##STR18##3. n=1, X= ##STR19##

By reacting compounds of the formula Ia in which n=1 and X= ##STR20##with alcohols ##STR21## 4. n=1 and X= ##STR22## or n=2 and X=--COCl Byreacting compounds of the formula Ia in which n=1 and X= ##STR23## inwhich the groups --COR₂ are bonded to the benzene ring in the meta- orpara-position and the two R₂ s are each --OH or --O⁻ M⁺, or,respectively, compounds of the formula Ia in which n=2 and X=--COOH,with suitable chlorinating agents, such as thionyl chloride, oxalylchloride or phosgene.

5. n=2, X=--CO--O-alkenyl

By reacting compounds of the formula Ia in which n=2 and X=--COOH or--COCl with corresponding unsaturated esters or alcohols in the presenceof acids or bases.

6. n=2, X=--O--CO-alkenyl or --S--CO-alkenyl

By reacting compounds of the formula Ia in which n=2 and X=--OH or --SHwith corresponding unsaturated acids, acid chlorides or esters.

7. n=2, X=--NH--CO-alkenyl

By reacting compounds of the formula Ia in which n=2 and X=--NH₂ withacid chlorides alkenyl-COCl.

8. n=2, X=--O-alkenyl

By reacting compounds of the formula Ia in which n=2 and X=--OH withalkenyl halides, especially alkenyl bromides, in the presence of bases,such as K₂ CO₃.

Compounds of the formula Ia in which A is --OCH₂ -- with the oxygen atombonded to the aromatic ring can be rearranged to compounds of theformula Ib by the action of heat or in the presence of a basic catalyst.The rearrangement is advantageously carried out in an organic solvent,for example an aprotic organic solvent of the abovementioned type, or inanhydrous acetic acid. Rearrangement by the action of heat isadvantageously effected by heating the reaction mixture at temperaturesof about 80° to 180° C. for about 6 to 48 hours. Compounds of theformula Ia in which X is a non-polymerisable group or in which thesubstituent X contains a non-polymerisable grouping are particularlysuitable for rearrangement by the action of heat.

Rearrangement in the presence of a basic catalyst is advantageouslycarried out at temperatures of between about 60° and 130° C. andespecially between about 80° and 120° C. Compounds of the formula Ia inwhich X is a polymerisable group or contains such a grouping areparticularly suitable for catalytic rearrangement. The bases are, inparticular, organic bases, especially tertiary amines of the formula##STR24## in which Q₂ is alkyl having 1-8 C atoms, cycloalkyl having 5or 6 C atoms, benzyl or phenyl and Q₃ and Q₄ independently of oneanother are alkyl having 1-8 C atoms, for example triethylamine,tri-n-butylamine, tri-isopentylamine, tri-n-octylamine,N,N-dimethyl-cyclohexylamine, N,N-dimethyl-benzylamine,N,N-dimethyl-2-ethylhexylamine and N,N-diethylaniline; tertiary cyclicamines, for example N-alkylmorpholines, such as N-methylmorpholine;N-alkylpiperidines, such as N-methyl- and N-ethyl-piperidine;N-alkylpyrrolidines, such as N-methyl- and N-ethylpyrrolidines;quinuclidine and diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane; tertiary diamines, such asN,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylene-diamine,N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,3-diaminobutane and N,N'-dimethylpiperazine; andalso bicyclic amidines, such as 1,5-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-5-ene, andfinally polymeric basic compounds, such asp-dimethylaminomethylpolystyrene.

The amount of catalyst employed can vary within wide limits. In somecases it suffices if the catalyst is present in traces. In general,however, the catalyst is preferably employed in an amount of about 0.1to 15% by weight, based on the starting compounds of the formula Ia inwhich A=--OCH₂ --.

After the reaction has ended, the compounds of the formula I can beisolated in a customary manner and purified if desired.

The compounds of the formula I are valuable intermediates for thepreparation of photo-crosslinkable polymers, such as polyesters,polyamides, polyimides, polyester-polyamides, polyethers, polyamines,gelatine, polysaccharides, polycondensates, for example based onphenol-formaldehyde, and homo- and co-polymers which are derived frommonomers containing reactive C═C double bonds. Such polymers can beobtained by known synthesis methods for the preparation ofmacromolecules containing photoactive side groups. In principle, twomethods can be used:

1. Incorporation of compounds of the formula I into an existing polymerchain with corresponding functional groups. Compounds suitable for thisprocess are, for example, those of the formula I in which X is --OH,--NH₂, --NH-alkyl having 1-4 C atoms, --SH, --COOH or --COCl or in whichR₂ s in the ortho-position together form --O--. Such compounds can bereacted, for example, with polymers containing --NH₂,--NH-alkyl,--OH,--COOH,--SH, anhydride or ##STR25## groups and withphenoxy resins containing said OH groups.

2. Build-up of the polymer chain from compounds of the formula I and, ifdesired, from further monomers, it being possible for the polymer chainto be built up by polymerisation or polycondensation, depending on thenature of the functional groups in the compound of the formula I.Compounds suitable for this process are, for example, compounds of theformula I in which X is as defined when n=1 or compounds of the formulaII in which X is --CO--O-alkenyl, --O-alkenyl, --O--CO-alkenyl,--NH--CO-alkenyl or --S--CO-alkenyl when n=2. Compounds of the formula Iin which the --COR₂ s are bonded to the benzene ring in the meta- orpara-position and the R₂ s are each --OH, --Cl, alkoxy having 1-4 Catoms or phenoxy, or in which the --COR₂ s are bonded to the benzenering in the ortho-position relative to one another and the R₂ s togetherare --O--, can also be subjected to a polycondensation reaction withdiamines, diols, amino-alcohols and, if desired, further di-, tri- ortetra-carboxylic acid derivatives.

Compounds of the formula I in which X is a polymerisable group orcontains such a grouping are suitable for homopolymerisation orcopolymerisation with other ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, forexample vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, acrylic acid, methacrylicacid, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, alkyl acrylates and alkylmethacrylates, acrylamide, methacrylamide, styrene, vinylpyridines,ethylene, propylene, vinyl acetate and vinyl propionate, maleates orfumarates or maleic anhydride.

The polymers with side imidyl groups which are thus obtained can becrosslinked under the action of light, especially UV light, and areunsuitable for photomechanical applications, for example for theproduction of printing plates for the offset printing process, for theproduction of photo-offset lacquers and for unconventional photography,for example for staining polymer images which are difficult to see afterexposure and developing, staining being carried out with suitable dyes,such as oil-soluble dyes or, if the polymer contains acid groups, suchas carboxylic acid groups or sulphonic acid groups, cationic dyes. Suchpolymers are used, in particular, as a so-called photoresist for theproduction of printed circuits by methods known per se. In this case,the side of the conductor plate provided with the photosensitive layeris exposed through a transparency negative containing the conductorimage and then developed, after which the unexposed areas of the layerare removed by developer liquid. Exposure can be carried out withsunlight, carbon arc lamps or xenon lamps. Advantageously, exposure iscarried out with mercury high pressure lamps.

EXAMPLE 1 ##STR26##

A solution of 70 g (0.35 mol) of 3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboxylicacid anhydride [prepared according to Org. Syntheses, Col. Vol., 2, 194(1943)] and 23.5 g (0.385 mol) of ethanolamine in 1.7 liters of glacialacetic acid is kept under reflux for 24 hours. The glacial acetic acidis then removed by distillation, the residue is dissolved in 2 liters ofabsolute ethanol, 50 g of an ion exchanger ["Dowex 50 W" from Fluka AG]are added and the suspension is kept under reflux for 24 hours. The ionexchanger is then filtered off, the ethanol is distilled off and theresidue is recrystallised from diethyl ether/ethanol. This yields 61.8 g(73% of theory) ofN-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide; meltingpoint 120.5°-121° C.

IR spectrum (CHCl₃): inter alia 2.93; 5.67; 5.88; 7.0; 7.18; 7.36; 7.61;9.30; 9.90 μ.

NMR spectrum (CDCl₃): δ=2.7 and 3.02 [2xt, 2x2H, H₂ --C(3) and H₂--C(4)]; 3.6 (bs, 4H, 2xCH₂ in the hydroxyethyl group); 7.1-7.4 [m, 3H,H--C(5), H--C(6), H--C(7)]; 8.0-8.2 ppm [m, 1H, H--C(8)].

UV spectrum (C₂ H₅ OH): λ_(max) (ε)=247 (12,960) and 367 (2,670) nm.

Elementary analysis for C₁₄ H₁₅ NO₄ (molecular weight 243.27):Calculated: C, 69.12%; H, 5.38%; N, 5.76%. Found: C, 68.95%; H, 5.33%; N5.74%.

If, in the above example, the residue obtained after distilling off theglacial acetic acid is separated chromatographically on a silica gelcolumn, this yields not only the desired N-hydroxyethyl compound butalso the acetate thereof; 103°-105° C. (recrystallised from diethylether/n-hexane).

EXAMPLE 2 ##STR27##

(a) 4.5 g of ethanolamine are added at room temperature (20°-25° C.) toa solution of 15 g (0.07 mol) of6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboxylic acid anhydride in 150ml of toluene. The mixture is refluxed for 2 hours and the water formedis removed continuously using a water separator. The toluene is thenremoved by distillation and the residue is recrystallised from ethanol.This yields 1.4 g (82% of theory) of yellow crystals with a meltingpoint of 115° C.

IR spectrum (CHCl₃): inter alia 2.92; 5.67; 5.87; 6.98; 7.12 and 7.36 μ.

Elementary analysis for C₁₅ H₁₅ NO₃ (molecular weight 257.29):Calculated: C, 70.02%; H, 5.88%; N, 5.44%. Found: C, 70.11%; H, 5.91%;N, 5.60%.

The preparation of 6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboxylicacid anhydride is described in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) below:

(b) Ethyl 5-phenylvalerate ##STR28##

250 g (1.4 mols) of 5-phenylvaleric acid are dissolved in 450 ml ofabsolute ethanol. 114 ml of concentrated sulphuric acid are added to theclear colourless solution and the reaction mixture is refluxed for 48hours. The reaction mixture, which initially is two-phase, becomesalmost homogeneous and separates into two phases again on cooling. Thecold two-phase reaction mixture is poured onto diethyl ether and about 1kg of ice. The aqueous phase is extracted with ether twice more; theether phases are washed twice with 2N sodium carbonate solution andtwice with NaCl solution. The combined ether phases are dried over MgSO₄and the solvent is removed on a rotary evaporator. After drying under ahigh vacuum at room temperature, 281.7 g of a colourless oil (97.5% oftheory) are obtained.

The crude product is used further (cf. paragraph (c)). A sampledistilled in a bulb tube at 120°-140° C./0.1 mm Hg is used forcharacterisation.

NMR spectrum (CDCl₃):=7.4-7.0 ppm (5H, m); 4.08 ppm (q, 2H, J=8 Hz); 2.6ppm (m, 2H); 2.28 ppm (m, 2H); 1.65 ppm (2H, m); 1.02 ppm (3H, t, J=8Hz).

IR spectrum (CH₂ Cl₂): inter alia 1,740 cm⁻¹.

(c) Diethyl 3-phenylpropyl-oxaloacetate ##STR29##

A suspension of oil-free sodium hydride in diethyl ether, prepared bydecanting and twice washing with diethyl ether 71.8 g of a sodiumhydride dispersion (55% in oil) in n-pentane under nitrogen and adding 3liters of absolute diethyl ether, are refluxed. A mixture of 281.7 g(1.36 mols) of ethyl 5-phenylvalerate and 297 g (1.36 mols+50%) ofdiethyl oxalate is added dropwise to the boiling suspension in thecourse of about 6 hours. The reaction mixture is then kept under refluxfor a total of 66 hours. The thin layer chromatogram (CHCl₃) shows, inaddition to a very small amount of starting material (R_(f) about 0.6),a main spot with a R_(f) of about 0.5. After cooling, the reactionmixture is poured onto 500 g of ice and 1.05 equivalents of HCl (=530 mlof 2N HCl). The aqueous phase is extracted with diethyl ether, thediethyl ether phase is dried over MgSO₄ and the ether is removed invacuo. After drying in vacuo, 520 g of a reddish oil, which stillcontains oxalate, are obtained. The crude product is used furtherdirect, since it decomposes with decarbonylation when subjected topurification by distillation.

In addition to the signals of the desired product, the signals of theexcess diethyl oxalate are still visible in the NMR spectrum of thecrude product.

(d) 6,7-Dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboxylic acid anhydride##STR30##

240 ml of 90% sulphuric acid are cooled to 0°-5° C. 30 g of ester C areadded dropwise at this temperature in the course of about 15-20 minutes.A dark yellow to reddish solution forms. The reaction mixture is thenallowed to warm to room temperature and the course of the reaction isfollowed by means of thin layer chromatography. After about 3 to 4 hoursno further starting material is visible.

Thin layer chromatogram (CHCl₃) starting material: R_(f) about 0.7;reaction product: R_(f) about 0.8.

The reaction mixture is poured onto 1.5 liters of ice and sufficientNaCl to saturate the resulting aqueous phase (about 500 g). Withvigorous stirring, a white, crystalline precipitate separates out. Thisis filtered off with suction, the material on the filter is subjected tostrong suction and taken up in diethyl ether and insoluble constituentsare separated off. The ether solution is dried over MgSO₄, concentratedon a rotary evaporator and dried under a high vacuum. (=1st portion ofproduct D).

The aqueous phase is extracted with diethyl ether and the diethyl etherphase is washed with NaCl solution and dried and the ether is removed ona rotary evaporator. (=2nd portion of product D). On the basis of thethin layer chromatogram, this portion is virtually identical to thefirst portion.

The two portions are combined and recrystallised from isopropanol. Thisyields 10 g (47% of theory) of compound D in the form of pale yellowishcrystals; melting point 112°-113° C.

EXAMPLE 3 ##STR31##

A solution of 48.65 g (0.2 mol) of2,3-dihydro-1-benzoxepine-4,5-dicarboxylic acid anhydride and 13.4 g(0.22 mol) of ethanolamine in 1.5 liters of glacial acetic acid isrefluxed for 2 days. The glacial acetic acid is then distilled off, theresidue is dissolved in 2 liters of absolute methanol, 70 g of an ionexchanger ("Dowex 50 W" from Fluka AG) are added and the suspension isrefluxed for 2 days. The ion exchanger is then filtered off, themethanol is removed by distillation and the residue is separated on asilica gel column (solvent system: toluene/ethyl acetate in a volumeratio of 2:1). The first fraction (R_(f) about 0.3) contains 9.3 g (18%of theory) of N-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-2H-chromene-3,4-dicarboximide(compound A) in the form of yellow crystals (recrystallised frommethylene chloride/n-hexane); melting point 124° C.

IR spectrum (KBr): inter alia 2.88; 5.65; 5.83; 6.21; 6.36; 6.90; 7.17;9.53; 10.0; 13.14μ.

NMR spectrum (CDCl₃): δ=1.67 ([d; J=6.5; CH₃ C(2)]; 3.78 (b"s"; 4H;2×CH₂ in the hydroxyethyl group); 5.46 [t, J=6.5; H--C(2)] and6.8-7.1+7.2-7.4+7.94 ppm (m+m+d×d; 2H+1H+1H; aromatic H).

UV spectrum (C₂ H₅ OH): λ_(max) (ε)=256 (13,370) and 404 (2,920) nm.

Elementary analysis for C₁₄ H₁₃ NO₄ (molecular weight 259.27):Calculated: C, 64.86%; H, 5.05%; N, 5.40%. Found: C, 64.81%; H, 5.11%;N, 5.40%.

The second fraction (R_(f) about 0.2) contains 41.5 g (80% of theory) ofN-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzoxepine-4,5-dicarboximide(compound B); melting point 136°-137° C. (recrystallised from CH₂ Cl₂/n-hexane).

IR spectrum (KBr): 2.86; 5.64; 5.86; 6.90; 7.06; 7.62; 9.90; 13.3 and13.9μ.

NMR spectrum (CDCl₃): δ=3.03 [t; J=5; H₂ --C(3)]; 3.8 (b"s"; 4H; 2×CH₂in the hydroxyethyl group); 4.28 [t; H₂ --C(2)] and 7.0-7.5+8.67 ppm(m+d×d; 3H+1H; aromatic H).

UV spectrum (C₂ H₅ OH): λ_(max) (ε)=248 (12,820), 268 (7,900) and 354(4,120) nm.

Elementary analysis for C₁₄ H₁₃ NO₄ (molecular weight 259.27):Calculated: C, 64.86%; H, 5.05%; N, 5.40%. Found: C, 64.76%; H, 5.10%;N, 5.32%.

The starting material (2,3-dihydro-1-benzoxepine-4,5-dicarboxylic acidanhydride) can be prepared as follows: ##STR32##

30.8 g (0.10 mol) of crude diethyl 2-phenoxyethyloxaloacetate areallowed to run dropwise in the course of 15 minutes, at a temperature of5°-10° C., into an ice-cooled mixture of 225 ml of concentratedsulphuric acid and 25 ml of water, with stirring. The reactiontemperature is then allowed to rise to 15° C. and the reaction mixtureis stirred for one hour at this temperature. The reaction mixture isthen poured into a mixture of 1,000 g of ice and 1,500 ml of water, withstirring, whereupon 2,3-dihydro-1-benzoxepine-4,5-dicarboxylic acidanhydride precipitates out. This is filtered off with suction andrecrystallised from isopropanol. This yields 14.0 g of2,3-dihydro-1-benzoxepine-4,5-dicarboxylic acid anhydride (64.7% oftheory) with a melting point of 142°-143° C.

The starting material (diethyl 2-phenoxyethyloxaloacetate) for thepreparation of the abovementioned anhydride can be prepared as follows:##STR33##

A solution of 22 g (0.15 mol) of diethyl oxalate in 100 ml of diethylether is added dropwise, at a temperature of 15° C., to a suspension of5 g (0.104 mol) of a 50% dispersion of sodium hydride in mineral oil in50 ml of diethyl ether, with stirring. The reaction mixture is thenstirred for 2 hours at room temperature. A solution of 21 g (0.10 mol)of ethyl phenoxy-butyrate [prepared according to Powell and Adams, J.Amer. Chem. Soc., 42, 652 (1920)] in 100 ml of diethyl ether is allowedto run in and the resulting mixture is then refluxed for 10 hours. Aftercooling, 1 ml of ethanol is added and the mixture is then poured onto amixture of 100 g of ice and 150 ml of water. The pH of the aqueous phaseis adjusted to 3 with 2N hydrochloric acid. The layers are separated ina separating funnel and the aqueous phase is again extracted with 250 mlof diethyl ether. The combined ether extracts are washed with 100 ml ofwater, then dried over magnesium sulphate and then evaporated under awaterpump vacuum. 30.8 g (100% of theory) of crude diethyl2-phenoxyethyl-oxaloacetate in the form of a pale reddish oil remain asthe residue.

EXAMPLE 4 ##STR34##

20.0 g (0.1 mol) of 3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboxylic acidanhydride and 10.3 g (0.1 mol) of 2,2-dimethyl-3-aminopropanol aredissolved in 60 ml of toluene and the solution is refluxed for 2 hours,the water formed being separated off by means of a water separator.After the reaction has ended, the reaction mixture is concentrated todryness in vacuo at 60° C. The residue is recrystallised from ethanol.This yields 25.1 g (87.9% of theory) ofN-(3'-hydroxy-2',2'-dimethylpropyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide.

Elementary analysis for C₁₇ H₁₉ O₃ N (molecular weight 285): Calculated:C, 71.56%; H, 6.71%; N, 4.91%. Found: C, 70.74%; H, 6.93%; N, 4.75%.

EXAMPLE 5 ##STR35##

21.4 g (0.1 mol) of 6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboxylicacid anhydride and 10.3 g (0.1 mol) of 2,2-dimethyl-3-aminopropanol aredissolved in 60 ml of toluene and the solution is refluxed for 1 hour,the water formed being separated off by means of a water separatordownstream of the reaction vessel. After cooling to room temperature,the crystals which have precipitated out are filtered off. This yields28.9 g (96.6% of theory) andN-(3'-hydroxy-2',2'-dimethylpropyl)-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboximide.

Elementary analysis for C₁₈ H₂₁ O₃ N (molecular weight 299): Calculated:C, 72.22%; H, 7.07%; N, 4.68%. Found: C, 72.07%; H, 7.12%; N, 4.73%.

EXAMPLE 6

24.3 g (0.1 mol) of theN-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide obtainedaccording to Example 1, 12.9 g (0.15 mol) of methacrylic acid, 1.6 ml ofconcentrated sulphuric acid and 1.0 g of 2,6-di-tert.-butyl-p-cresol aredissolved in toluene and the solution is refluxed for 2 hours, the waterformed being separated off by means of a water separator downstream ofthe reaction vessel. The reaction solution is then cooled to roomtemperature, 5.52 g (0.075 mol) of calcium hydroxide are added and themixture is stirred thoroughly for 5 minutes. After filtering, thefiltrate is concentrated to dryness in vacuo at 60° C. This yields 28.8g (95.7% of theory) ofN-(2'-methacryloyloxyethyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide.

NMR spectrum: H₂ C═C protons at 5.8 and 6.05 ppm (TMS=0).

Elementary analysis for C₁₈ H₁₇ NO₄ (molecular weight 311.33):Calculated: C, 69.45%; H, 5.46%; N, 4.50%. Found: C, 68.65%; H, 5.42%;N, 4.67%.

EXAMPLE 7 ##STR36##

22.3 g (0.1 mol) of disodium 3-aminophthalate and 20.0 g (0.1 mol) of3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid anhydride are mixed well ina mortar and the mixture is then kept at 140° C. for 2 hours. It is thenheated at 160° C. for one hour. After cooling to room temperature, thesolid mass is powdered and dissolved at 90° C. in 750 ml of water and,after cooling to about 40° C., the solution is acidified with 220 ml of1N HCl. The resulting precipitate is filtered off and dried in vacuo at60° C. The dried product is then dissolved in 750 ml of acetic anhydrideand the solution is concentrated to dryness on a rotary evaporator at70° C. This yields 27.4 g (79.3% of theory) of N-(3'-phthalicanhydride)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide.

Elementary analysis: Calculated: C, 69.57%; H, 3.21%; N, 4.06%. Found:C, 65.44%, H, 3.20%; N, 4.44%.

EXAMPLE 8 ##STR37##

22.6 g of disodium 5-aminoisophthalate, 20.0 g of3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid anhydride and 100 ml ofN,N-dimethylacetamide are added together and the mixture is refluxed for2 hours, with continuous stirring. The reaction solution is thenacidified at a temperature of 80° C. with 220 ml of 1N HCl. Aftercooling to room temperature, the resulting precipitate is filtered off.The crude product is dried in vacuo at 100° C. This yields 11.9 g (65.6%of theory) of N-(5'-isophthalicacid)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide.

Elementary analysis: Calculated: C, 66.12%; H, 3.61%; N, 3.86%. Found:C, 65.34%; H, 3.80%; N, 3.80%.

EXAMPLE 9 ##STR38##

36.3 g (0.1 mol) of the N-(5'-isophthalicacid)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide obtained according toExample 8 are refluxed together with 300 ml of thionyl chloride until aclear solution is obtained. About 5 drops of pyridine are added tocatalysts the reaction. The reaction product is then evaporated todryness on a rotary evaporator, an orange-red residue being obtained.36.7 g (86.5% of theory) of N-(5'-isophthaloylchloride)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide are obtained.

Elementary analysis (after recrystallisation from cyclohexane):Calculated: C, 60.02%; H, 2.77%; N, 3.50%; Cl, 17.72%. Found: C, 60.21%;H, 2.71%; N, 3.47%; Cl, 17.73%.

EXAMPLE 10 ##STR39##

A solution of 20 g (0.1 mol) of 3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboxylicacid anhydride and 13.1 g (0.1 mol) of 6-aminocaproic acid in 130 ml ofacetic acid is refluxed for 6 hours. The reaction solution isevaporated. The yellow solid product, which has a melting point of109°-111° C., is recrystallised from 100 ml of carbon tetrachloride.

Yield: 23.9 g (76.2% of theory) melting point 108°-111° C., yellowcrystals.

Analysis: Calculated: C, 69.00%; H, 6.11%; N, 4.47%. Found: C, 68.78%;H, 6.12%; N, 4.69%.

NMR spectrum (DMSOCH₆):=7.9 [1H]; 7.15 [3H]; 3.40 [2H, t]; 3.00 [2H, t];2.60 [2H, t]; 2.20 [2H, t]; 1.8-1.1 [6H, Mp].

EXAMPLE 11 ##STR40##

2 g (0.0062 mol) of the N-(caproicacid)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide obtained according toExample 10 and 0.51 ml (0.007 mol) of thionyl chloride are dissolved in10 ml of methylene chloride and the solution is stirred at roomtemperature for 24 hours. It is then refluxed for 3 hours and thenevaporated to dryness. This yields 2 g (94.4% of theory) of an oilyproduct which crystallises after 24 hours. Melting point 65°-67° C.

Analysis: Calculated: C, 65.16%; H, 5.47%; N, 4.22%; Cl, 10.69%. Found:C, 65.34%; H, 5.54%; N, 4.31%; Cl, 9.51%.

EXAMPLE 12 ##STR41##

A solution of 60.82 g ofN-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide, 24.51 g(0.34 mol) of acrylic acid and 5 ml of chemically pure H₂ SO₄ in 240 mlof toluene, with the addition of 1.2 g of Cu-II acetate, is refluxed for11/2 hours, the water formed (4.5 ml) being separated off by means of awater separator.

The solution, which has been cooled to room temperature, is neutralisedwith 300 ml of 8% NaHCO₃ solution. The aqueous phase is extracted with2×400 ml of toluene. The organic phase is washed with 100 ml of water,dried and evaporated.

Yield: 53.3 g=71.65%, melting point 86°-89° C.

Analysis: Calculated: C, 68.68%; H, 5.09%; N, 4.71%. Found: C, 68.36%;H, 5.1%; N, 4.74%.

EXAMPLE 13 ##STR42##

9.5 g (0.100 mol) of phenol are dissolved in 500 ml of anhydrous tolueneand the solution is refluxed. 55 ml of toluene are distilled off (dryingof the phenol) and the solution is cooled to room temperature. At roomtemperature, 20 g (0.05 mol) of N-(5'-isophthalic aciddichloride)-3,4-dihydronaphthanlene-1,2-dicarboximide and 10.36 g oftriethylamine are added and the mixture is stirred for 50 hours at roomtemperature. The thick suspension is diluted with 200 ml of toluene andfiltered with suction. The yellow filtrate is evaporated and the residueis recrystallised from 70 ml of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether.

Yield: 9 g=35% of theory, melting point 205°-208° C.

Analysis: Calculated: C, 74.56%; H, 4.11%; N, 2.72%. Found: C, 74.41%;H, 3.95%; N, 2.78%.

EXAMPLE 14

16.25 g (0.077 mol) of disodium 3-aminoisophthalate, 150 ml of water,150 ml of dimethylacetamide and 16.48 g (0.077 mol) of6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboxylic acid anhydride arewarmed to 100°, with stirring. The clear solution is stirred at 100° for1 hour. After cooling to 80°, 85 ml of 2N HCl solution are addeddropwise. The yellow suspension, which has been cooled to roomtemperature, is filtered with suction and the material on the suctionfilter is washed with 100 ml of cold water and dried in vacuo at 100°for 12 hours. This yields 28 g (96.7% of theory) ofN-(3-isophthaloyl-dicarboxylicacid)-6,7-dihydrobenzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboximide which has thefollowing elementary analysis for the empirical formula C₂₁ H₁₅ NO₆ :Calculated: C, 66,84%; H, 4.01%; N, 3.71%. Found: C, 65.8%; H, 3.97%; N,3.60%.

EXAMPLE 15

5 g (0.013 mol) of N-(3-isophthaloyldicarboxylicacid)-6,7-dihydrobenzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboximide, 2 drops ofdimethylformamide and 26 ml of thionyl chloride are refluxed for 30minutes. The red solution is evaporated and the red crystalline productis recrystallised from 30 ml of dry toluene. This yields 2.4 g (43.7% oftheory) of N-(3-isophthaloyldicarboxylic acidchloride)-6,7-dihydrobenzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboxylic acid imide whichhas a melting point of 178°-181° and the following elementary analysis,calculated for the empirical formula C₂₁ H₁₃ NO₄ Cl₂ : Calculated: C,60.89%; H, 3.17%; N, 3.38%; Cl, 17.12%. Found: C, 60.75%; H, 3.21%; N,3.59%; Cl, 16.9%.

EXAMPLE 16 ##STR43##

27.6 g of toluene-p-sulphonic acid monohydrate are added to a solutionof 27.62 g (0.138 mol) of 3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboxylic acidanhydride in 300 ml of toluene, followed by 8.69 g of ethylenediamine.The mixture is heated to 60° C. for 30 minutes and then refluxed for 30minutes, removing continuously the toluene and the water as they areformed by destillation. The residue is dried under vacuo to yield 32.7 g(90.0% of theory) ofN-(2'-aminoethyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide in the formof its toluene-p-sulphonic acid salt. This salt may be purified byrecrystallisation from toluene.

In order to set the amino compound free, the salt is suspended in 100 mlof methylene chloride and the suspension is extracted several times with5% aqueous sodium carbonate solution. After drying the organic phasewith anhydrous magnesium sulfate, the solvent is distilled off and theresidue, which is the pureN-(2'-aminoethyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide and has amelting point of 172° C., is dried.

Elementary analysis for the empirical formula C₁₄ H₁₄ N₂ O₂ :Calculated: C, 69.41%; H, 5.82%; N, 11.56%. Found: C, 68.30%; H, 5.70%;N, 11.30%.

EXAMPLE 17 ##STR44##

A solution of 27.62 g (0.138 mol) of3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid anhydride and 37.08 g(0.144 mol) of 1,11-diamino-2,2,12-trimethyltridecane in 300 ml tolueneis refluxed for 30 minutes. The solvent and the reaction water are thendistilled off and the residue is dried under vacuo. This yields 58.0 g(90.0% of theory) ofN-(11'-amino-2',2',12'-trimethyltridecyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide(melting point 161° C.), which may be recrystallised from toluene.

Elementary analysis for the empirical formula C₂₈ H₄₂ N₂ O₂ :Calculated: C, 76.67%; H, 9.65%; N, 6.39%. Found: C, 75.20%; H, 10.1%;N, 6.20%.

EXAMPLE 18

100 g of a copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride (1:1;anhydride content=0.64 mol, average molecular weight 740,000), 77.8 g(0.32 mol) of theN-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide preparedaccording to Example 1 and 10 ml of pyridine are dissolved in 1,820 mlof dried tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture is kept at 80° C. for 72hours, with stirring. After cooling to room temperature, the clearsolution is precipitated in 5 liters of diethyl ether and theprecipitate is dried in vacuo. This yields 141.0 g (79.3% of theory) ofa white polymer. For elementary analysis, a sample of the polymer isprecipitated in 0.1N HCl.

Elementary analysis: Found: C, 55.3%; H, 5.9%; N, 2.23%.

EXAMPLE 19-23

Further crosslinkable polymers are prepared in a manner analogous tothat described in Example 18, using:

100 g of the copolymer according to Example 18 and 82.3 g of the imideaccording to Example 2;

100 g of the copolymer according to Example 18 and 82.9 g ofN-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-2H-chromene-3,4-dicarboximide;

100 g of the copolymer according to Example 18 and 78.4 g ofN-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzoxepine-4,5-dicarboximide;

100 g of the copolymer according to Example 18 and 87.4 g ofN-(3'-hydroxy-2',2'-dimethylpropyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide;and

100 g of the copolymer according to Example 18 and 95.6 g ofN-(3'-hydroxy-2',2'-dimethylpropyl)-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboximide.

EXMPLE 24

10 g of a copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride (1:1;anhydride content=0.64 mol, average molecular weight 740,000), and 15 gof N-(2'aminoethyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximide preparedaccording to Example 16 are dissolved in 200 ml of driedtetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture is kept at 40° C. for 6 hours,with stirring. After cooling to room temperature, the clear solution isprecipitated in 2 liters of diethyl ether and the resulting fine polymerpowder is dried under vacuo.

A photocrosslinkable polymer is obtained which has an intrinsicviscosity of 0.32 dl/g (in chloroform at 20° C.).

EXAMPLE 25

31.1 g (0.1 mol) ofN-(2'-methacryloyloxyethyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-dicarboximidetogether with 0.31 g of α,α'-azoisobutyronitrile are dissolved in 140 mlof tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture is polymerised under a gentlereflux (about 80° C.) for 6 hours under nitrogen and with continuousstirring. After the reaction has ended, the reaction solution is cooledto room temperature and the polymer is precipitated by adding thereaction solution dropwise to 2 liters of hexane. This yields 24.4 g(78.5% of theory) of a white powder; inherent viscosity: 0.15 dl/g (0.5%by weight in N,N-dimethylformamide at 20° C.).

EXAMPLE 26

2.5 g (0.00662 mol) of N-(3-isophthaloyldicarboxylicacid)-6,7-dihydrobenzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboximide and 1.75 g of(0.00729 mol) of 1,3-diglycidyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin are dissolved in85 ml of cyclohexanone and 1 crystal of tetrabutylammonium chloride isadded. The solution is stirred at 110° for 2 hours. The yellow, slightlyviscous solution can be used direct for coating copper plates.

EXAMPLE 27

7.3 g (0.0639 mol) of 2,5-dimethylpiperazine and 18 ml of triethylamineare dissolved in 100 ml of dry chloroform in a 750 ml sulphonation flaskand the solution is cooled to -5°. At this temperature, a suspension of8 g (0.0193 mol) of N-(3-isophthaloyldicarboxylic acidchloride)-6,7-dihydrobenzocycloheptene-8,9-dicarboximide and 10.78 g(0.04506 mol) of sebacic acid dichloride in 100 ml of chloroform isadded dropwise. The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours at roomtemperature and the slightly viscous solution is precipitated with 1,500ml of petroleum ether. 13 g of beige polymer are obtained.

EXAMPLE 28

This example relates to images which are produced by photocrosslinkingpolymers prepared with compounds according to the invention and arerendered more easily visible by staining and to the determination of therelative sensitivity of the images thus obtained. A 400 watt mercuryvapour high pressure lamp at a distance of 40 cm from the vacuum tableis used for exposure. The original used is a Stauffer step wedge asdescribed in "Photoresist, Material and Processes", W. S. De Forest,page 110 (McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1975).

Coating: The photocrosslinkable polymer is applied to aluminium sheets(about 0.3 mm) by whirler-coating at 1,000 revolutions/minute from a 5%solution in N,N-dimethylformamide.

Developing: 3 seconds in tetrahydrofuran; 30 seconds in 3% NaHCO₃.H₂ O.

Staining: The polymer which has been crosslinked image-wise cansubsequently easily be stained with a cationic dye, for example bystaining for 30 seconds in a 5% aqueous solution of the dye of theformula ##STR45##

The following table gives the number of stained steps in the step wedgewith the corresponding exposure time.

    ______________________________________                                                                Number of                                             Polymer                 stained steps                                         according to                                                                              Exposure time                                                                             in the step wedge                                     ______________________________________                                        Example 18  6 minutes   9                                                                 3 minutes   7                                                                 1 minute    5                                                     Example 19  9 minutes   5                                                                 6 minutes   2                                                                 3 minutes   1                                                     Example 20  9 minutes   5                                                                 6 minutes   3                                                                 3 minutes   1                                                     Example 21  9 minutes   7                                                                 6 minutes   5                                                                 3 minutes   3                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 29

Example 28 is repeated except that the photocrosslinkable polymers ofExamples 18 to 21 are replaced by the polymer of Example 24. The resultsare recorded in the following table.

    ______________________________________                                        Exposure time                                                                             Number of stained steps in the step wedge                         ______________________________________                                        6 minutes   9                                                                 3 minutes   8                                                                 1 minute    6                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of the formula V ##STR46## in which A"is --OCH₂ -- with the oxygen atom bonded to the aromatic ring and R andR₁ independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having 1-4C atoms or methoxy.
 2. The compound according to claim 1 which is2,3-dihydro-1-benzoxepine-4,5-dicarboxylic acid anhydride.